letters of request

1
: a written request from one government or sovereign to another to aid an injured person in seeking redress, with a promise to reciprocate
2
English ecclesiastical law : an instrument by which an inferior court waives jurisdiction over a case and requests a higher court to hear it

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of letters of request was in the 15th century

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Dictionary Entries Near letters of request

Cite this Entry

“Letters of request.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/letters%20of%20request. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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